Mikel Merino makes Arsenal team-mates' admission ahead of Real Madrid tie | OneFootball

The auxiliary striker has plenty of experience facing Los Blancos

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Mikel Merino has revealed his Arsenal team-mates have been picking his brains about Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League showdown next month.

Current holders Real Madrid, who are 15-time European champions, are favourites going into the tie.

And Merino, who spent the last six years playing against Real Madrid in Spain for Real Sociedad, says his Arsenal team-mates have been quizzing him about what they can expect.

“They ask me what the stadium is like, what the atmosphere is like, if the aura surrounding Real Madrid in the Champions League and their comebacks is true,” Merino told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

“And of course, when [Real Madrid] have done it so many times, that’s the image people have of them.

Mikel Merino has made an impact as a striker

Getty Images

“Talking about favourites is very difficult because the Champions League shows you that the details make the difference. There are three or four teams that can be considered favourites [to win the Champions League], but you can’t just pick one.”

Merino has been playing as an emergency striker for Arsenal due to injuries and has scored four goals in seven games since the switch.

The 28-year-old, however, is expecting to play in his natural position of midfield for Spain after being called up by them for their Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands this week.

“That question is more for [Spain head coach] Luis de la Fuente,” said Merino. “I think I’ll focus a bit on my natural position.

“He’s bringing forwards here that he trusts and who are at a very high level. It makes sense that if he brings me in, it’ll be to play in my natural position.

“I feel more settled in the team [at Arsenal], in the squad, in the city, in the environment, even with the staff. It’s a very important change after six or seven years with the same people around me.

“On a personal level, it’s good. Different, special. Now in a slightly different position and as a group, well, we’re still fighting in the league, trying to make up for points, and in the Champions League, with a very exciting tie ahead.”